Manzanita 'Emerald Carpet'
Arctostaphylos 'Emerald Carpet'
Care
full sun, part shade
very low
well-drained; no summer water once established
0–1ft tall , 3–6ft wide
Feb-Mar · white, pink
Evergreen
Resistant
Friendly
Prized
Berries eaten fresh or made into cider/jam; traditional Indigenous food
Supports up to 68 butterfly and moth species in Mediterranean California
Garden selection from California native manzanita species
Small urn-shaped white to pink flowers
Dense flat groundcover manzanita; excellent weed suppression
Wildlife Supported
Birds
Early spring blooms align with breeding season arrival and territory establishment
Early winter blooms (Feb-Mar) provide critical nectar when few other plants flower
Year-round berries supplement diet; dense shrub provides nesting cover
Low dense growth provides year-round nesting and shelter habitat
Persistent berries utilized throughout year, especially important in winter months
Year-round resident forages on berries and insects
Winter resident utilizes remaining berries during cold months
Berries available during spring migration and early breeding season
Insects
Early spring nectar source for emerging queens and workers
February-March flowers support early season foraging
Mammals
Evergreen foliage browsed year-round, particularly in winter when other food scarce
Dense low growth provides shelter and foliage browse